As a result, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS has accelerated operations and has recaptured virtually all of previously held Islamic State territory in Iraq and Syria. Sign Up You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. While we are on guard against Russian aggression, we recognize the need to work with Russia where mutual interests intersect. I am proud of what our State Department and Agency for International Development teams around the world have accomplished this year, and our progress will continue in 2018 and beyond. To that end, we have undertaken a redesign of the State Department to strengthen our teams’ ability to deliver on our mission.

Source: New York Times December 28, 2017 00:00 UTC